Invitation to a Journey

Continue reading "Current Teaching Series" »

Join us in May for a fun and informative teaching series from Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica.

Continue reading "This Is Your Life" »

I did a wedding on Friday in the rain. It was humid, muggy, and we were outside under a tent. I was in a suit and tie – hot and confined by too many clothes! Normally, I don’t get nervous, even though I am always hot. However, on this muggy warm evening my glasses fogged up and I couldn’t read my notes!

Continue reading "The Vision and Mission of Christ’s Church" »

Reputation. Having a good name. Enjoying good favor with all people. When we live out God’s Truth for all to see – it changes lives.

Continue reading "Truth Must Be Evident" »

Starting Sunday, September 13 join us for an in-depth look into Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus.

Continue reading "Called Out. . . which way do we go?" »

I want to start by telling you a story. A man once had two large clay jars that he used to bring water from the well back to his home. These jars hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his shoulders. One of the jars had a crack in it, and at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked jar arrived only half full. The other jar was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. For several years the man bought back to his home each day only one-and-a-half jars of water.

Continue reading "Purity in Life" »

“Authenticity” is about genuineness of character and giving an accurate representation of the real, inner you. It’s all about “what you see – is what you get.”
The way you act is the way you really are. There’s nothing fake or dishonest or put on or false about your actions or your words. Authenticity is about having integrity of heart. You are on the inside what people see on the outside; you do and say the very things you feel and believe deep inside. People can count on you. You will always do and say what is the “authentic” you.

Continue reading "Integrity of Heart" »

On Sunday, December 7, Quarry Ridge participated in an historic offering – bringing cash and commitments for the next 12 months to underwrite the build-out and move-in of our first, full-time Ministry Center.

Continue reading "Commitment Offering – God At His Best!" »

As we approach our Commitment Sunday on December 7, I have had several conversations with Quarry Ridge folks about what “sacrificial giving” really means. Most people have said something like: “I’ll give what I can afford.” Some have said, “I’ll give all I can afford.”

Neither are really correct; can I teach you about this?

Continue reading "What is “Sacrificial Giving?”" »

Secular preparations for Christmas seem to begin earlier each year. In the United States at least, Christmas decorations start appearing in stores before Halloween. Yet despite this early start, Christmas seems to be here and gone before we know it. Sometimes Christmas passes and we don’t feel any different. The pace of life just increases while we continue to work and go about our everyday activities. It may be that the key to Christmas making a difference in our lives is for the Advent season to be different. The more we move out of our regular routines, the more different Advent and Christmas are; the better our celebration is, the better the rest of the year turns out.

Continue reading "Meditations for the season of Advent - 2008" »

I feel compelled to speak out again on an Issue that will appear on this November’s ballot: Issue 5, a proposed limit on Payday Lenders. Unlike Issue 6 which a “yes” vote would hurt our economically-challenged friends and neighbors, a “no” vote on Issue 5 will also hurt innocent people by continuing to give free reign and power to area “loan sharks.”

Continue reading "My 2 cents on Issue 5" »

Every election season, various groups try to intimidate churches and pastors to be silent on the great social and moral issues of our time. But churches and pastors have a God-given right – protected by our Constitution – to speak to the issues of our day and to be, as Scripture commands, the “salt and light” for our culture.

Continue reading "Taking my stand on Issue 6" »

The summer is nearly half over, and we’re well into our study of the fruit of the Spirit – the character traits He produces in those who have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ. We’re finding new ways of partnering with the Holy Spirit to bring about life-change as He transforms us into the image of Jesus. I want to expand our study of the Holy Spirit in one small, but powerful way.

Continue reading "A prayer covenant – let’s ask for a move of the Holy Spirit" »

On Sunday mornings starting October 12 and going through November 2, Quarry Ridge will use the run-up to the Presidential Election to have some fun as we study serious topics and look at the really important issues.

Continue reading "Hail to the Chief!" »

Do you like puzzles? Perhaps something nearly impossible as a Rubik’s Cube? How about a Sudoku or a Crossword? Maybe you enjoy a jigsaw puzzle or even a story problem you have to solve? Puzzles challenge us. They present us with a difficulty or a mystery; they’re an enigma; they tantalize us with a conundrum or a dilemma to be addressed or a problem to be solved.

Continue reading "Breakthrough Momentum - why starting a church is so difficult" »

I talked once before in a blog entitled “Nomads, Searchers, or Priests?” about how God intends for us to be a “Tabernacle People.” Tabernacle means “dwelling place,” and Revelation 21:3 says that WE are His dwelling place. You and me – our hearts – are where He chooses to dwell.

Continue reading "Edification before an Edifice" »

Quarry Ridge knows a little something about being a “portable church.” We’ve been a church for 3 years and 9 months – and we’ve been moving in and out of the Timberstone Junior High building for pretty much that whole time!

Every Sunday, a crew arrives with the trailer behind our Suburban, unloads a ton of carts and crates and wheeled cabinets. People set up chairs, lights, a sound system, and a computer attached to a video projector to run the videos and words for worship.

Continue reading "Nomads, Searchers, or Priests?" »

Have you ever been a part of a great team? Maybe it was a sports team or a special team on your job; perhaps it was a team for something you do as a pastime. Being a part of a healthy, efficient team makes life or work or play easier and more fun.

Good teams flow together well; think each others’ thoughts; finish each others’ sentences. When teams move as one unit, everything gets easier, nothing is left undone, and there’s more energy left at the end of the project than when you started.

Continue reading "Unite with God's People" »

I love these words from theologian, author, teacher and pastor, Gilbert Bilizekian. I’m not sure where I found this passage – perhaps from something I received from Willow Creek Community Church; perhaps from a magazine. These words so aptly explain the concept of community. Please read what Dr. Bilizekian has to teach us all.

Marty

Continue reading "God's Dream" »

Lots of pastors and teachers talk about the “biblically-functioning community.” It’s a great term, coined, I believe, by Dr. Gilbert Bilizekian, and taught to Bill Hybels, now Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois while Bill was a seminary student.

Continue reading "What is a biblically-functioning community?" »

The very best way to reach people for Christ is through relationships. When Jesus sent us into the world to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) He didn’t give us any specifics on how to accomplish the task. By looking at other scripture passages such as Luke 5:29, Acts 2:42-47 and looking at Jesus’ own example, we can see that talking to people and starting friendships with them is the best way to include them in the journey of faith.

Quarry Ridge uses a 6-step strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission. . .

Continue reading "How will we reach the world around us?" »

Meet Cliff and Sandy Rubble – hard-working young parents from our community. Their son, 8 year-old Clay, and daughter, 16 year-old Pebbles live just a few minutes from the church in a neighborhood filled with young families. They love music and sports, and spending time together. Still, the rigors of family life today make for some tough times for the Rubbles. They need help and encouragement and a solid base in their lives.

But, there's more. . .

Continue reading "Who are we trying to reach?" »

You are connected in fellowship. . .

We’re to be a part of a community of believers, and to enjoy each other. The Acts 2 church is not simply a nice story – it’s a model of how we should live day by day (Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 4:1-7).

Remember - you were formed for God’s family!